from Dateline (January 30, 2003)
Fathers
Are Hitting the Books
by Susan Katsaros
Dads took to the classroom last fall
on behalf of their children.
Project DADS, which stands for dads and developmental
specialists, is a program involving fathers in their children’s
reading and writing development.
Robert Ortiz, associate professor of special education,
developed the program that incorporates reading books, writing,
school/home interaction, technology and storytelling.
“This program is important because children’s
education is no longer just dropped on mom’s lap. Having dads
involved doubles the learning opportunity for children,” said
Ortiz. “It gets dads to roll up their sleeves” and become
partners in the educational process.
Ortiz introduced Project DADS to California three
years ago after developing the program at New Mexico State University.
He has been working with Laurel Elementary School in Brea and giving
workshops throughout Orange County.
This year he will make presentations in Illinois and
in central California – engagements that came about because
of articles he has written on the project and a buzz that has been
created. “This is my dream,” said Ortiz.
Recently, Laurel Elementary School held a Doughnuts
for Dads program where Ortiz discussed the program’s goals
and objectives and encouraged fathers to sign up and attend training
sessions.
“When I started my training sessions and mentioned
how important it is for fathers to be involved, the almost immediate
response I got was: are you a father?” said Ortiz.
As a father of three, he said, “I better have
the right answer.”
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